Chapter 1

Chapter One

Soleil

I was miles away. I knew I was. But I didn't stop running as if someone was on my trail. Or maybe someone is? Nevertheless, I must keep on going.

This is it! I have finally broken free from that place, from my father, from obligations I no longer need or even want.

I managed to escape Callix and a few more guards stationed to watch over me. Sneaking out of a place I'm too familiar with was easy. And I'm glad I finally dared to leave home.

It doesn't feel like home anymore, anyway.

My body has become weak days of deprivation of food and rest, but I don't mind.

I finally broke myself out. I finally detangled my connection with my father, and I was no longer a member of his pack.

And that's all that matters.

At last, I finally saw a tent from afar. Half a kilometer away. I should head there and ask for help, or else I'll die from exhaustion and hunger.

My father is powerful; he might look for me in a snap of his finger, but I managed to learn a few tricks up my sleeve.

I concealed my tracks and presence. There is no way he could find me.

The forest I was in has no territorial air. This land is not owned by any pack. This is good. Freedom.

So the one presence I could feel from that tent has to be a rogue.

My motion slowed suddenly, my body is giving in, I'm shutting down.

Just a few more...

My run turned into a walk but I kept on going.

Just a few more.

More...

I reached the last tree near the tent. Air swept my hair, covering a bit of my face and vision.

I saw the door of the tent open, showing a big hand with a veined arm.

The rogue is a man.

"Help..." I managed to utter. "Please," the last word I manage to say before I lose consciousness.

***

A cold, chilly air numbed my body but woke my mind. My eyes slowly opened and the surroundings were close to darkness. I'm not sure what time it is, but the feeling seems almost nighttime.

The hope I had was to get help but I was still outside the tent, lying flat on the ground.

Fuck. The rogue didn't help me. Not at least let me in for shelter.

There was a fire near me. Though now, I don't think the rogue intentionally placed it near for warmth.

I exhaled, suddenly feeling the exhaustion and hunger again.

"Finally awake?" A deep, velvety baritone voice said somewhere above my head. "Why are you here?"

Even with a weakened body, I slowly moved myself, sitting up and turned my head back to look at the rogue.

There stood a man, tall and unwavering, his broad shoulder squared with quiet confidence. His arms were crossed over his chest, emphasizing the strength of his forearms, veined and hard. His stance exuded authority and control.

I feel myself cowering in fear and submission. His wolf is strong, stronger than mine. This reaction is normal but I fought back my submissive wolf.

'Quit fucking around.' I scolded my wolf. A weak whine was heard in our portal. My teeth bared and clenched from irritation.

"Talk," the man once again spoke. His accent was deep-rooted; I almost obeyed right there and then.

There's no denying it, the rogue is insanely handsome. His long lashes made his perfect almond shaped eyes pop. And those golden brown eyes speak volumes, like there's more to this man than what I could see. The way he looked at me almost drowned me in haze. His nose was sharp and pointed, but those lips... I didn't know a man could own such an inviting asset.

"You don't talk?" His frown deepened and I didn't even notice he was already frowning. That aloof face of his matched him perfectly, as it goes with his look.

Oh, right! I wasn't talking yet!

I almost slapped myself for having all those thoughts, daydreaming in front of a guy whom I don't know at all.

"I---" I paused, eyes wandering side to side, not remembering what he asked.

The man sighed. I watched as he removed his arms from his chest and rested them on his sides.

"I asked why you are here."

"Oh! Uh, this land is not part of any territory, so-"

"That gave you the right to approach my tent?" The crease on his forehead deepened. "Did someone send you?"

I don't know where all his questions came from, but he sounded delusional to me.

"Are you someone important?"

"What?" He asked, tilting his head on one side.

Okay, I'm not making it to his good side. There's no hope that this guy would offer me food at this point.

"Look," I straightened and slowly stood up, then looked at him after I balanced myself. "I run miles to escape from--" should I tell him? No. "Somewhere. I am not a spy or anything. I do not know you, and I thought I'd get help, that's why I'm here. Didn't know rogues can be rude, too."

I genuinely thought rogues help each other. Ugh.

"You're a rogue," he said as if it were funny that I said those last words. "And I would at least offer something for you to eat, but you lie flat on my stack of food." He motioned to the small sack I think I lay on.

Oh.

"You could have moved me. Brought me inside your tent or something."

"Then, cooked food for you, right? What a princess," he commented with sarcasm.

I rolled my eyes and that made my head swirl. Fuck, I'm losing consciousness again?!

I can feel how my body is slowly losing its strength, and I know I'll pass out. Probably hit the fire that's burning right in front of me.

Fuck. This rogue will not help. I will fall into the fire and burn myself! I'm sure my face will receive a third-degree burn! I will-- Huh?

My body was suddenly warm. Am I on fire already?

I heard a low hiss coming just above my head, then I was up in the air.

It took me a minute to realize that the rogue caught me and now he was carrying me.

"If you try anything to harm me, I'll kill you," was what I remembered him saying before I lost consciousness again.